EP1419408B1 - Universal adapter - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an adapter in the manner of an insertable from a front side in a front panel and lockable by a spring coupling for fiber optic connectors with a one- or two-piece housing, which at least on one side of a protruding from the cross section of the housing flange for the system on the front panel, at least one front panel front and / or rear connector connector receptacle and at least one positive locking releasable locking device for connectors,

Clutches or adapters for glass fiber connectors connect glass fibers for laser light. Such couplings are usually fixed in a housing wall or front panel, so that stand on both sides of the front panel plug receptacles for fiber optic connectors. Until recently, such fiberglass connectors were often made in the form of SC connectors or SC connectors. However, these are increasingly being replaced by smaller designs with the designations LX.5, LC and MU (Internet advertisement on 06.08.2001 at 15.25 o'clock under the address http://www.bicsi.org/prico8/sld001.htm - sld035.htm ).

LC connectors are standardized in IEC 61751-20 and MU connectors in IEC 61751-6. LX.5 plugs are not standardized yet; LX.5 is a registered trademark of ADC Telecommunications, Inc., US; Such connectors have improved properties (Internet presentation on 06/05/2001 at 15:28 clock under http://stele.adc.com/Library/Literature/1236.pdf).

SC connectors and corresponding couplings are disclosed in US-A 5,317,663. The connectors are held on either side by locking cams in the coupling, which engage in recesses on either side of the connector when the fiber optic centerings have reached their desired position.
The adapters for SC simplex connectors are equipped with locking flaps in the coupling against laser light.

On the 06.08.2001 at 15.35 at the address http://www.molex.com a connection of the type "BSC II adapter with shutter" for an SC connector could be seen from the internet. Shutter is understood to mean a pivotally mounted flap in front of a plug receptacle opening, which is intended to prevent injury to a fitter by laser light when inserting SC connectors. The flap has a laser warning.

From EP 0 590 586 A1 a coupling composed of two parts for two MU connectors is known, a miniaturized further development of the SC connector which can be fastened to a front plate by means of flanges protruding from one side of the coupling, with a spring which springs back next to the Flange locked the clutch after insertion into a corresponding opening behind the front panel. The connector is held in the coupling much like the SC connector.

From WO 00/16145 glass fiber connectors and couplings of the type described are known. Shown are smaller LX.5 type connectors having a muzzle flap on the front of the connector which automatically opens as soon as a laser light barrier has passed against a return spring disposed in the coupling. During the insertion phase, a pin projecting into the interior of the coupling pushes on the connector the spring-retained muzzle flap to expose the optical fiber in the optical fiber connector to a connector opposite the adapter. The connector engages with its two special cams on a resilient lever on the housing of the connector in a complementarily shaped latch on the coupling, which are arranged laterally of the longitudinal axis of the connector or the coupling and thereby interlock. By means of the lever on the connector, the cams can be unlocked again from their case.

LC connectors are also known from EP 1091226 A1. They have a center on one side of the connector arranged locking and release lever means with which a positive connection can be solved in the coupling, which results in the insertion of the connector. The connection is formed by two cams arranged laterally on the lever, which engage in an opposite latch in the clutch when the connector has reached its desired position in the clutch. Also have these couplings Flanges and a detent spring for mounting in a front panel.

It is possible to install two couplings for LX.5, LC or MU connectors in a front panel instead of a large-size SC coupling. Although the connectors are partly standardized, meet different connectors on different systems of different users, but do not fit into the same coupling.

On 17.08.2001 under the internet-address http://www.fiberplus.com/cpakit.htm you could see a universal adapter system for the connectors type FC, ST, SC, SMA, D4 and BICONIC and at the address http: // www.fiberplus.com/upa.htm a universal panel mount adapter was advertised. The types ST or FC can be connected to each other on a front panel or to DIN or E2000 connectors. Also an adapter for the coupling of types MU to LC by simple mechanical screwing of sleeves for optical fibers with threaded rings. The installation and removal of the adapter is time consuming and requires great dexterity, especially in the small connectors, the ferrule only have 1, 25 mm in diameter, compared to 2.5 mm in the SC connectors.

On the 06.08.2001 at 15h30 there was an address on the Internet at the address http://www.senko.com/senkoadv/. In addition to LC connectors and MU connectors with suitable adapters for a simplex or duplex application, an SC-LC Adapter device shown, which is attachable to a front panel and front side has a connector receptacle for a LC connector and backwards has a connector receptacle for a SC connector. This coupling can not be solved or only cumbersome from the front, after it was inserted from the front into the front panel and hooked by means of a spreading spring behind the front panel. This type of attachment is predominantly encountered in all couplings, as far as they are not screwed.
In the previous couplings and connectors is not apparent how they can be solved by the front panel without disconnecting the fiber optic connection.

From US-5,751,874 an adapter is known in the manner of a front insertable into a front panel and lockable by a spring coupling for fiber optic connectors, with a housing which at least at one side has a protruding from the cross section of the housing flange for the system from the front panel. The adapter has at least one front and / or rear connector receptacle to the front panel and at least one positive, releasable locking device for connectors. The connector receptacle is designed to accommodate FC, SC or ST connectors.

From US-6,220,763 B1 a connector receptacle for receiving FC, SC, ST or LC connector is known.

From US6022149 an adapter is known in the manner of a usable from a front side in eie front panel coupling for glass fiber connector. The adapter is designed for receiving connectors of the types FC, SC and ST and has a housing with a locking device with a sliding pin.

The invention is based on the technical problem of providing a universal adapter for SFF (Small Form Factor) connectors.

The underlying problem is solved by the features of claim 1. Further developments of the invention are covered in the dependent claims.

The solution for a generic adapter is first that each connector connector receptacle has an opening for the alternate recording of at least two of three different types LX.5, LC and MU of connectors and one suitable for the type locking device, wherein at least one locking device for a plug type LX.5 is available.

The problem of accommodating the stylus to actuate a LX.5 type mouth flap has been solved by placing it on a displaceable element on a side wall of the adapter, preferably by forming the displaceable element in the side wall as an integral spring element. However, this element can also be designed differently, for example, the pin can also be moved from the connectors - except for LX.5 - in the insertion direction.

Due to the different locking systems of the connectors and their position and shape and function, this solution is unknown and surprising as the extensive state of the art and the worldwide distribution of these connector types proves.
The solution is easiest to implement if the LX.5 and LC locking devices are located on the same side of the coupling and the MU type locking device is offset by 90 ° on other sides of the coupling Adapter is attached.
Thus, the development was also possible that the adapter is designed as a simplex plug-in coupling for the alternate recording of all three types, while due to the location of the ferrule, as a duplex plug coupling only adapter for the alternate recording of plug Types LX.5 and LC can be formed.

In a further development of the invention should be closed when needed for dust protection or protection from the laser light, the clutch; According to the invention in that the opening of the receptacle can be closed with a pivotally and detachably attachable to the housing cap. For this purpose, the cap is preferably inserted into a snap-in device, for example a hole for a latching nub, on the outside of the housing. For purposes of labeling as about the type of connector to be used or for a warning note, the cap on the outside a guide for the insertion of a license plate plate.

Furthermore, the adapter should be releasably insertable in a front panel from the front for its easy assembly and disassembly. For this purpose, the adapter is equipped with at least one operable from the front side detent spring arranged on the housing, for engaging behind the front panel and releasing the detent spring from the front panel in an inventive manner.
Preferably, the detent spring is designed as a floating spring tongue, which can extend through an opening of the flange and the front plate. For mounting or production of the clutch while the detent spring has a spring frame, which surrounds the housing on at least three sides, extending through the flange and having the spring tongue as an integral part.

In order for this design needs as little space the adapter is designed so that the plug receptacles at their openings form the largest housing cross section and the housing surface in the direction of flange is provided with recesses for the installation of parts of the spring frame, wherein the mounted spring frame the cross section of the Housing on the connector receptacle not surmounted. A coupling mounted in such a way can be removed from the front panel without interrupting the laser connection.

Fig. 1

einen versetzten Längsschnitt in perspektivischer Sicht durch einen erfindungsgemäßen Adapter;

Fig.2

eine perspektivische Draufsicht auf einen ersten erfindungsgemäßen Simplex-Adapter mit einem gesteckten LC-Steckverbinder rückwärtig und einer Kappe frontseitig;

Fig. 3a

einen Längsschnitt durch einen Adapter gemäß Fig. 2;

Fig. 3b

einen Längsschnitt durch einen Adapter gemäß Fig.2, jedoch ist der LC-Steckverbinder ausgetauscht gegen einen LX.5-Steckverbinder und die Kappe entfernt;

Fig. 4

einen Längsschnitt durch einen Adapter gemäß Fig.6, jedoch ohne Kappe und mit teils eingesteckten LC und LX.5-Steckverbindern;

Fig. 4a

eine Einzelheit mit Raststift für LX.5-Verbinder;

Fig. 5

einen Schnitt durch einen Simplex-Adapter gemäß Fig. 2, jedoch ohne Kappe und mit teils eingestecktem Steckverbinder des Typs MU.

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Draufsicht von der Frontseite auf einen in eine Frontplatte eingesetzten Duplex-Adapter mit rückwärtig eingesteckten Steckverbindern der Typen LC und LX.5 und frontseitiger, eine Kennung tragende, Kappe ;

In one embodiment, the invention will be explained with reference to a schematic drawing and the problems solved for the skilled person will be shown. Show it:

Fig. 1

an offset longitudinal section in a perspective view through an adapter according to the invention;

Fig.2

a top perspective view of a first simplex adapter according to the invention with a plugged LC connector rear and a cap at the front;

Fig. 3a

a longitudinal section through an adapter according to FIG. 2;

Fig. 3b

a longitudinal section through an adapter according to Figure 2, but the LC connector is replaced with a LX.5 connector and the cap removed;

Fig. 4

a longitudinal section through an adapter according to Figure 6, however without cap and with partly inserted LC and LX.5 connectors;

Fig. 4a

a detail with locking pin for LX.5 connector;

Fig. 5

a section through a simplex adapter of FIG. 2, but without a cap and partly plugged MU type connector.

Fig. 6

a perspective top view from the front of a duplex adapter inserted into a front panel with back-inserted connectors type LC and LX.5 and front side, an identifier bearing cap;

Identical reference numbers refer to parts of identical or similar function. The schematic representation of the parts is compared to reality increased by a factor of 5 to 20.

Fig. 1 shows in principle a multiply offset longitudinal section through an empty coupling for fiber optic connector, designed here as a universal adapter 3 with a common housing 30, composed of two mirror-image identical front or rear housing parts 31 and 32. They abut the flanges 41 together and are there, for example glued or even held by a detent spring 5 and the frame 50 together; Alternatively, a positive connection 34 (FIG. 3b) of the parts 31, 32 is possible.
The formed as a stub flanges 41 allow in a recess on the surface 402 of the housing 4 in the middle of the penetration of a spring tongue 51 which is integrally attached to the metal spring frame 50, from the extended end 52 a nose 53 protrudes, a front panel 10 (Fig. 6) behind and so can lock the adapter 3 in the front panel. By pressing on the bracket 54, the nose 53 dissolves and the adapter can be pulled out of the front panel, without the connector must be removed from the adapter 3.

The housing, which may also be in one piece, has two connector receptacles 1 and 2 at the front and the rear, respectively.
In principle, this representation is identical for the simplex adapter according to FIG. 2 and the duplex adapter according to FIG. 6, if of different wall thicknesses the housing is apart. The opening cross-sections and lateral guides in the walls of the adapter are tailored to the cross section of the connectors LC, LX.5 and MU 7, 8, 9.

In extension of the openings of the connector receptacles 1, 2, a centering 43 for the ferrule or light guide 20 (FIG. 3a, 3b) is embedded in the housing 30. In order for an installer not to see unintentionally in a laser beam, the adapter includes a laser guard 44 which is held in the locked position by a spring 45 and which can be depressed by connectors or a cap (Figure 3a).
A bore 46 is used to engage a locking pin 61 of the cap 6, 60 (Fig. 3a) and 62 (Fig. 6).
The flap pin 42 is used to open the mouth flap, not shown, a LX.5 connector 8 as is known in the art. The flap pin 42 is disposed at the end of a cantilevered resiliently displaceable tongue 421 which is an integral part of the side wall 401 of the housing 30 and, as will be described in Figs. 4 and 5, responds. The lock 28 for LX.5 connector 8 (FIGS. 3 b and 6) comprises on the housing 30 a latch 48 in the manner of a recess on the upper side 402 into which the two cams 81 on the elastic lever 82 can engage.
The lock 29 for MU connector 9 comprises locking cams 49 in the side wall 401 of the housing; this cam in a recess, not shown, of the connector 9 and locks it so in the coupling.
The lock 27 of the LC connector 7 is shown in Fig. 3a.

Fig. 2 shows the adapter 3 'as a simplex connector complete with cap 60 and LC connector 7 and detent spring 5'. It can be clearly seen that the simplex housing 40 has on its surface in the side wall 403 and the top 402 between the flanges 41 and the largest housing cross-section 33 near the openings for the connector receptacles 1, 2 a recess in which the spring frame 50 for Plant comes and thus does not exceed the scope of the largest cross-section 33 of the housing.

Fig. 3a show this simplex adapter 3 'in longitudinal section with a cap 60 on the receptacle 1 of the adapter and a fully inserted LC connector 7 on the rear receptacle 2, so that the light guide 20 is centered to the centering 43 and in FIG. 3b to the other without cap, but with inserted LX.5 connector 8.

The LC connector 7 has on the locking device 27 on the connector housing 70 on a locking lever 73 with two-sided cam 72 which engage behind a latch 47 on the housing 40 when the connector is in the position shown. With the release lever 71 73 pressure can be exerted on locking lever, so that the resilient plastic lever to move down and the cams 70 disengage from the latch 47, so that the connector can be pulled.

Fig. 3b shows a similar situation for the fully inserted LX.5 connector 8, but for the sake of clarity without the mouth flap. Light guide 20 and centering 43 lie in one axis; the locking device 28 is in operation. On the release lever 81 of the plug housing 80, a cam 82 is mounted on both sides, which is locked in case 48 of the adapter housing 40 and 81 can be disengaged after depressing the elastic release lever.

4 shows a duplex adapter 3 "for the simultaneous and parallel connection of two light guides 20 within a coupling housing 4.

Fig. 5 shows an adapter 3 'analogous to Fig. 2, 3a, 3b with partly inserted MU connector 9, but without its locking device, which was explained in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 4, a LX.5 connector 8 and an LC connector 7 is shown at the top. The flap pin 42 necessary for the universal insertion of connectors has its own cam track 83 in the case of the LX.5 connector 8 and therefore remains in its position relative to the housing 4. The LC connector 7 or MU connector 9, on the other hand, pushes the connector with it an edge of its housing 70 and 90 against the flap pin 42 while the connectors are inserted into the adapter. The situation shows enlarged and correct position as a detail of Fig. 4a for the LC connector 7 and a mirror image of the MU connector 9 corresponding to the valve pin position in a circle. If the connectors are pushed further into the adapter, the elastic tongue 421 bends with the flap pin 42 to the side and clears the way for the connector 7 and 9, respectively. The side wall consists here for example only of the tongue 421 which is surrounded outside only by the spring frame 50 and 55 respectively.

Fig. 6 shows an adapter 3 "with duplex housing 4 which in a Breakthrough 11 of a front panel 10 is inserted and there by means of spring 5 'on the spring frame 55, which surrounds the adapter 3 "arrested .. The lock can be solved by pressing the bracket 54 of the spring 5', as already described for itself.
On the back, as shown in Fig. 4, two connectors 7 and 8 of the type LC or LX.5 used, while the front side, a cap 62 closes the adapter or its two openings together.
The caps 6 generally, or for simplex connector 60 and duplex connector 62 according to FIGS. 3a and 6 are preferably made of elastic plastic, have a locking pin 61 for clipping and fastening in a bore 46 on the housing 4, 30th , 40, an articulated elastic strap 63 for the pivoting away of the closure 64, 64 'of the cap to free the openings of the adapter or close, at the same time as dust protection and - in the case of adapters without laser protection flap 44 - also as eye protection. The front part 65 has a guide 66 for inserting therein an identification plate 67 provided with a label or identifier relating to the type of adapters, the connectors to be inserted, or the like.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Plug connector receptacle on the front

2

Plug connector receptacle rearward

3, 3 ', 3 "

adapter

4

Housing duplex adapter

5.5 '

detent spring

6

cap

7

LC connector

8th

LX.5 connector

9

MU connectors

10

front panel

11

breakthrough

20

optical fiber

27

Locking LC

28

Lock LX.5

29

Locking MU

30

adapter housing

31

Adapter part on the front

32

Rear adapter part

33

Adapter cross section largest

34

connection

40

Housing simplex adapter

401

Side wall

402

top

403

Side wall

41

flange

42

cover pin

421

tongue

43

centering

44

Laser protection flap

45

feather

46

drilling

47

Case-LC connector

48

Trap LX.5 connector

49

Locking cam MU connector

50

Spring frame simplex connector

51

spring tongue

52

The End

53

nose

54

hanger

55

Spring frame duplex connector

60

Cap simplex connector

61

Plunger

62

Cap duplex connector

63

hanger

64, 64 '

shutter

65

front part

66

guide

67

License plate

70

plug housing

71

release lever

72

cam

73

locking lever

80

plug housing

81

release lever

82

cam

90

plug housing

Claims (12)

1. Adapter (3, 3', 3") in the manner of a coupling, which can be inserted into a front panel (10) from a front side and can be arrested by a spring (5, 5'), for optical-fibre plug-in connectors with

   - a one-piece or two-piece housing (4, 30, 40), which has at least on one side a flange (41) protruding from the cross section of the housing (4, 30, 40) for abutment on the front panel (10),

   - at least one plug-in connector receptacle (1, 2) at the front and/or rear with respect to the front panel (10),

   - at least one positively locking releasable arresting mechanism (27, 28, 29) for plug-in connectors (7, 8, 9),

   characterized in that each plug-in connector receptacle (1, 2) has an opening for the alternate reception of at least two of three different types, LX. 5, LC and MU, of plug-in connectors (7, 8, 9) and in each case an arresting mechanism (27, 28, 29) suitable for the type,
   wherein at least one arresting mechanism (27) is provided for a plug type LX.5 (7) and a pin (42) for actuating a cover of the plug type LX.5 (7) is arranged on a displaceable element (421) on a side wall (401) of the adapter.
2. Adapter according to Claim 1, characterized in that the displaceable element (421) is formed in the side wall (401) as an integral spring element.
3. Adapter according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the arresting mechanisms (27, 28) for the types LX. 5 and LC (7, 8) are arranged on the same side (402) of the adapter (3, 3', 3'').
4. Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter is designed as a duplex plug-in coupling for the alternate reception of the plug types LX.5 and LC (7, 8).
5. Adapter according to Claim 3, characterized in that the adapter (3, 3', 3") is designed as a simplex plug-in coupling for the alternate reception of all three types (7, 8, 9), the arresting mechanism for the plug type MU being attached offset by 90° on other sides of the adapter.
6. Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening of the receptacle (1, 2) can be closed by a cap (6, 60, 62) which can be pivotably and releasably attached to the housing (4, 30, 40).
7. Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivotable and releasable cap (6, 60, 62) is inserted into a snap-action device (46) on the outside of the housing (4, 30, 40).
8. Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cap (6, 60, 62) is provided on the outside with a guide (66) for the pushing in of an identification plate (67).
9. Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter has at least one latching spring (5, 5'), which is arranged on the housing (4, 30, 40) and can be actuated from the front side, for gripping behind the front panel (10) and releasing the latching spring (5, 5') from the front panel (10).
10. Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching spring (5, 5') is designed as an unsupported resilient tongue (51), which can extend through an opening in the flange (41) and in the front panel (10, 11).
11. Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching spring (5, 5') has a spring frame (50, 55), which grips around the housing (4, 30, 40) on at least three sides (401, 402, 403), extends through the flange (41) and has the resilient tongue (51) as an integral part.
12. Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter is designed in such a way that the plug receptacles (1, 2) form the largest housing cross section (33) at their openings and the housing surface is provided in the direction of the flange (41) with set-back portions for the abutment of parts of the spring frame (50, 55), the mounted spring frame not protruding beyond the cross section (33) of the housing (4, 30, 40) at the plug receptacle (1, 2).

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